MINNEAPOLIS,MN – Democrat Keith Ellison has defeated Republican Joel Demos to win a third term in his Minneapolis-area congressional district. Ellison drew national attention in 2006 when he became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He is also Minnesotaâ€™s first and so far only black member of Congress.

Ellison beat Demos and the Independence Partyâ€™s Tom Schrunk in the Democratic-dominated district.

His win is significant as he overcame swift opposition from the Tea Party.

Andre Carson, the second Muslim to be elected to Congress, also won his Indiana seat.

Oklahama passes law banning Islamic law

A ban on U.S. courts considering Sharia law passed overwhelmingly in Oklahoma on Tuesday.

State Representative Rex Duncan,the Republican state representative and author of the proposition argued that the measure â€œwill constitute a pre-emptive strike against Shariah law coming to Oklahoma.â€

The measure amends the state constitution to forbid â€œcourts from considering or using Sharia Law.â€ It defines Sharia as Islamic law â€œbased on two principal sources, the Koran and the teaching of Mohammed.â€

He said supporters in more than a dozen other states were ready to follow Oklahomaâ€™s lead.